European Green Capital 2020
Lisbon is the first Southern European capital to win this distinction
On 21st of June 2018, Lisbon was awarded the title of European Green Capital 2020. The distinction is the result an assessment with 12 indicators conducted by international experts, aimed to evaluate the city’s sustainability. More than 30 European cities were in the running of the title, but it was the Portuguese capital that emerged victorious.
The juries felt that Lisbon can be an inspiration and a role-model for many cities across Europe, clearly demonstrating that sustainability and economic growth go hand-in-hand. This is recognition of the work Lisbon has been developing over the last decade, as well as being the first time that a Southern European capital has won this distinction; Lisbon will be launching environmental initiatives throughout 2020.
A few reasons why Lisbon won the award:
- Lisbon launched a bike-sharing scheme, with electric bikes comprising two thirds of the fleet to encourage cycling in the hillier parts of the city;
- It has one of the world’s largest networks of electric vehicle charging points;
- While 39 percent of the municipal car fleet is electric;
- 93.3 percent of people in Lisbon live within 300m of a frequent public transport service;
- 76 percent of people in Lisbon live within 300m of green urban areas.